Our Perfect Day at CocoCay

In January 2024, daughter Jill and I spent 10 days in southern Florida and the Bahamas—a fabulous escape on land and by sea. Click HERE to read a short introduction.

In this story, the second in a series, I share our experiences on CocoCay, the private island that is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the Caribbean. Jill and I 'chilled and thrilled,' from the beach to Daredevil's Tower. We had a great time!

CocoCay, Bahama (January 20, 2024) In my many years of travel, including more than 30 cruises on the high seas, I’d never been to a private island—an exclusive destination that delivered an experience a cut-above the mainstream.

Well, now I can cross this off my bucket list because I’ve been to CocoCay—not once, but twice!

The Backstory
​
‘Perfect Day at CocoCay’ is the marketing name—for branding purposes—that Royal Caribbean uses for its private island in the Bahamas. (The Bahamian pronunciation is Coco-KEY.) Located about 60 miles north of Nassau, this island is one of Royal Caribbean’s most popular cruise ports in the Caribbean, with upwards of two million visitors each year. And because CocoCay is an exclusive destination, these visitors must be guests on Royal Caribbean cruise ships—like the Allure of the Seas, the ship that Jill and I sailed on.  

Royal Caribbean acquired the rights to the island, which was then called Little Stirrup Cay, in 1988 when it purchased Admiral Cruises, a small cruise line that operated on both coasts of the United States. That brand—Admiral Cruises—was discontinued in 1992 when Royal Caribbean sold its three ships. At some point between 1988 and 1992, Royal Caribbean renamed their island ‘CocoCay.’

(While Royal Caribbean and others refer to CocoCay as an island, it is in truth a cay—'a small, low-elevation, sandy island on the surface of a coral reef found in tropical environments, including the Caribbean.’)

Fast forward to 2018-19.

Royal Caribbean invested $250 million to remake CocoCay as Perfect Day at CocoCay—cruise pier, water park, freshwater pool, zip-line, swim-up bar, hot air ballon, restaurants, bars, and more.

Sounds like a great place, right?

If you said ‘right,’ you’re right…because it was!

As an aside, Royal Caribbean knew a good thing when they saw it. In 2019, they announced they would open a second private destination—this one in the South Pacific for itineraries that include Australia and New Zealand—named Perfect Day at Lelepa. 
​
Our Day on CocoCay

Our ship docked alongside Freedom of the Seas early on a Saturday morning, and by 8AM we were free to disembark for a day of fun in the sun. As you can see from this photo, though, it wasn’t sunny. In fact, it was overcast throughout much of the day. But...

IT DID NOT RAIN!

And even though the temperature hovered in the mid-to-upper 60s, Jill and I had a near perfect day on CocoCay.

As an aside, the island was designed to handle 9,000 to 12,000 guests, and the combined capacity of the two ships fell within this range. With multiple beaches, eateries, and activity venues, there was sufficient ‘elbow room’ everywhere we visited.    
 
Before Jill and I went ashore, we had breakfast in Windjammer Marketplace, a casual, buffet-style eatery on board the Allure. Nothing too heavy, as my momma once told me...

“Don’t go in the water on a full stomach because you might get cramps.”

It was quarter past eight when we disembarked, and as we made the short walk from the ship, I spotted the multi-colored Daredevil’s Tower—one of the most popular attractions on CocoCay and THE activity I looked forward to from the moment Jill finalized our cruise.

“Are you afraid?” Jill asked when she saw me eyeing Daredevil’s Tower.

“Au contraire,” I assured her. And then I recalled a line from The Lion King, spoken by Simba. “I laugh in the face of danger,” I added with a chuckle.

“We’ll see,” Jill countered.

There’s no such thing as a ‘one-size-fits-all’ holiday—especially on Perfect Day at CocoCay. Whether your ideal beach getaway involves larger-than-life thrills or unwinding at a peaceful waterfront chill spot, you’ll find there’s no right or wrong way to make the most of your adventure.

~ Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean delivered ‘the goods’ two ways—complimentary or with a cost. And there were enough free options—beaches and freshwater pool, several eateries, an aquapark for youngsters, and a nature trail—that it would be easy to spend a day on CocoCay without spending a penny.

Jill and I spent a modest $89 each on our ‘chill and thrill’ holiday—the cost of a day pass to Thrill Waterpark, home to Daredevil’s Tower.

As near as I can tell, this map of CocoCay is upside down to the actual geography. What’s north is south and what’s east is west. No matter, though, because it does represent the overall layout of the fun-in-the-sun side of CocoCay—beaches, pools, activities, restaurants, bars, and more. 

(In case you wonder where island employees live, the answer is in housing facilities on the side of the island not displayed on this map.)

“Jill, I’m going to wait an hour or so before I take the Daredevil’s Tower challenge…so where would you like to hang out in the meantime?”

“I heard Harbor Beach has the calmest waters, so let’s head there,” she replied. “It’s only a five-minute walk from Daredevil’s Tower.”

And that was what we did.
​
Halfway to the beach, we stopped for this photo op—a selfie—we could not pass up…

While Harbor Beach surrounded Harbor Lagoon, all the beach chairs were on the far side of this sandy beach. And since we arrived early—we were among the first guests off the ship—we snagged a couple of chaises, with umbrellas overhead, close to the water. 

Opposite where we sat—on the other side of the lagoon—were Skipper’s Grill (photo at left), Captain Jack’s (a bar), and Splashaway Bay (an aqua park for younger children).

First things first. We kicked off our sandals and went for a walk along the beach. I gotta tell you—it’s been years since I strolled barefoot on a beach. I'd forgotten that feeling of sand below my soles and between my toes. 

IT. FELT. GREAT!

And then we headed towards the water’s edge. But we didn’t stop there. We waded into the lagoon—but not too deep, as the crystal-clear water felt cool on our skin. 

“I was expecting the water to be pleasantly warm,” I admitted to Jill, “and comfortable to swim in.”

“Good luck with that,” Jill replied as she started back towards the beach. “You’ll find me relaxing on my chaise.”

I judged the water temperature to be in the low 70s, and knew I swam in colder water in the past.

Should I or shouldn’t I, I wondered.
​
I chickened out and turned back.

Before I did, though, I snapped this pic of Caylana of CocoCay, a life-size mermaid who held a long-tailed bird aloft as she reclined on a large rock near the edge of Harbor Lagoon. This bronze statue, with a lovely patina finish, was sculpted by Kathy Spalding (1952-2014), a ‘notable international sculptor of true-life bronzes.’
​
For the record, those weren’t power lines above Caylana; rather they were the tail-end of a 1,600-foot-long zipline experience—Zip Line Takeoff—with aerial views of the island.

When I reached Jill, she took one look at me—she could see I wasn’t wet— and said with a smile, “Wimped out, huh?”
​
With a sheepish look on my face, all I could offer was, “What can I say.”

As I laid on my chaise, I read an interesting article about the Blue Ridge Mountains in an old issue—and I mean ‘old,’ as in 1968—of National Geographic I brought from home. But 20 minutes later, I was itching to take on the slides at Daredevil’s Tower.

“Will you go with me?” I asked Jill.

“Not yet, but don’t let me hold you up,” she replied.

“Ok…see you in a while,” I said, and off I went to Thrill Waterpark.
​
Truth be told: While Jill and I bought day passes to the waterpark, we were only interested in the slides on Daredevil’s Tower. But there were other experiences the price of admission bought, including a wave pool, obstacle course over the water, and other slides.

Face The Peak of Adventure

What will you get from Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas? The ride of your life. The 135-foot-tall Daredevil’s Peak is the tallest waterslide in North America and promises to leave you breathless.

~ Royal Caribbean

Daredevil’s Peak was one of seven body slides on Daredevil’s Tower. The others were named Screeching Serpent, Green Mamba, Manta Raycers (twin racing slides), and Dueling Demons (two drop slides).
​
I knew I would ride Daredevil’s Peak…but first, I needed a warm-up (or two) before I tackled the slide that ‘invites only the bravest to take on a thrilling ride.’

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe.

The entrance to Green Mamba, located on the second level of the tower, was 50 feet off the ground. This water slide, an enclosed tube, had plenty of twists and turns. It was relatively calm, and not scary at all. But the Green Mamba was fun and a good first choice.
​
I shot a short video on the way down (with my phone in a waterproof pouch)—the ride lasted all of 25 to 30 seconds—and snipped these pics to give you a sense of my experience from top to bottom.

It was time to take on a more thrilling slide, like…Screeching Serpent. 

I didn’t have much time to think that thought, though, because with such a steep drop, this ride was over in seconds. It was far too fast for me to video my descent! Trust me, though…it was a rush! 

(By the way, although these pics make it look like it was, my camera wasn't out of focus; rather, there were drops of water on the pouch that protected my phone.) 

This was a speed slide that also started from the second level. The slide (it’s the blue one in the photo at the left), which approached a 90-degree angle, looked like it went straight down. Not quite…but man, it sure felt that way!

​It’s just like the biggest hill on a roller coaster, I thought. 

The twin Manta Raycers started from the lowest point on Daredevil’s Tower and were geared toward young riders…so I passed. And, the Dueling Demons were out because I didn’t have anyone to duel with. Perhaps later, I thought, with Jill.

That left Daredevil’s Peak.
​
Up, up, up I climbed—the journey to the top was the equivalent of 14 flights of stairs—to the highest platform on Daredevil’s Tower, 135 feet above the ground. I snapped a handful of photos as I climbed, including these…

Demitrius, the ride operator, greeted me when I reached the platform.

“Are you ready for the thrill of your life?” he asked, a wry grin on his face.
​
“I am!” I exclaimed.

When I was seated and had positioned my phone to video my ride, Demitrius gave me an all-clear signal. It was time to take off, so off I went...

…down, down, down through 764 feet of mostly translucent tubing—like the Green Mamba, there were kaleidoscopic effects in a couple of places—that twisted and turned as the slide spiraled round and round Daredevil’s Tower. I picked up speed as I descended through the tube and made a big splash when I hit the trough at the bottom.
​
This ride took about 30 seconds. The bottom right-hand snippet (from my video), a bit lopsided because of the last turn, was just before I reached the trough—I kicked up water with my feet as I quickly decelerated.

And here was something I had not expected: I was somewhat disoriented—a little wobbly—when I stood up. The whirling motion, I guess. I regained my sense of balance quickly, though, and rode the Screeching Serpent one more time before I returned to Harbor Beach.
​
“So, was it everything you imagined it would be?” Jill asked.

I smiled—I actually think I had a beam of satisfaction on my face—and then I shared with her what I’ve shared with you. And when I finished, Jill said, “Will you go with me after lunch?”

I could see the excitement in her eyes.
​
“Absolutely!” I replied.

I glanced at my watch. It was 11AM.

“I didn’t have much to eat this morning. Are you up for an early lunch?” I asked.

“Yep…I could eat.”
​
I opened a map of CocoCay, like the one I shared with you earlier. 

“There are three Snack Shacks on the island and the closest one is on the far side of Oasis Lagoon near Breezy Bay,” I said. “It’s a five- to ten-minute walk. Let’s go there.”

And that was what we did.
​
On the way, we passed Oasis Lagoon. At 33,000 square feet—about two and one-half times the size of an Olympic pool—it is the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean.

Snack Shack served burgers, hot dogs, fries, salad, fruit, drinks, and more...and everything was complimentary.​

My cheeseburger and fries were delicieous!

We took the ‘long way’ back to Harbor Beach, as we ambled along the tan-colored sand on the beach at Breezy Bay and through the CocoCay Island Market. We snooped a bit at the market—in and out of a few of the kiosks—but neither of us found anything that shouted, “BUY ME!”   

As we neared Harbor Beach, the clouds gave way to a sunny blue sky. Well, mostly blue…but it lasted only an hour, and then the clouds rolled back in.

Laying on the chaise, I must have shut my eyes—but more likely I fell asleep for a few minutes—because it took a while for my brain to register Jill’s voice.

“Dad…DAD,” I finally heard her say. “I’m ready to go on the slides if you are.”

I checked my watch. It was half past twelve.

Wow! I thought. Thirty minutes sure did fly by. Maybe I was asleep longer than I thought.
​
Jill didn’t have to ask me twice. 

It was essentially ‘rinse and repeat’ for me—four times down, but this time TWICE on Daredevil’s Peak!
​
And Jill? She rode three times—Greem Mamba, Screeching Serpent, and Daredevil’s Peak. I videoed her on Screeching Serpent—the BIG plunge down the open blue tube. She screamed and laughed from top to bottom. I had no doubt Jill enjoyed the ride!

And then we rode Daredevil's Peak.

"I don't know about this," Jill said with a bit of trepidation in her voice.

"It's easy," I assured her. "I'll go first."

When Jill reached the bottom, I asked, “How’d you like it?” 

“Not so much,” she replied, “I swallowed a lot of water on my way down." And then she declared, "I'm done!"
​
And that was OUR perfect day on CocoCay—just the right mix of chills and thrills. 

---

But wait…there’s more!
​
Jill and I spent a second day on CocoCay less than a week later when we sailed on the Icon of the Seas—Royal Caribbean’s newest and the world’s largest cruise ship. Jill went in one direction—photo shoots for social media—while I went in another. 

The weather was better the second time around. The air temp, about 10 degrees warmer, was in the mid-70s, and the sky was mostly blue.
​
It was a great day to lie on the beach, and that was what I did—a couple of hours of R&R at Chill Island, located on the east end of CocoCay. 

I read, walked along the beach, had a bite to eat, shopped at Island Market—I bought a white short-sleeve ‘island’ shirt with a print in cerulean blue—and talked with a guest from the Vision of the Seas (docked alongside the Icon) who was seated in a chaise next to me. 

When I stretched my eyes to the eastern horizon, I spotted a cruise ship that looked to be at anchor in the water. I asked a lifeguard if he knew which ship it was. He was a fount of knowledge.

“That ship is owned by Norwegian Cruise Lines. I believe it’s the Gem,” he answered. “It’s anchored near Great Stirrup Cay, which Norwegian bought many years ago and developed as a private island for their cruise ship passengers, much like Royal Caribbean did with CocoCay. One difference, though. There is no dock, so Norwegian must tender its guests to and from the island.”

“Thanks,” I said with a smile.

So, I thought, Royal Caribbean wasn’t the only cruise line with a private island.

In fact, as I later learned, a handful of cruise lines, in addition to Norwegian and Royal Caribbean, owned private islands, including Disney, Holland America, Princess, and MSC.
​
There was a slight breeze blowing in from the sea, and it lulled me into a false sense of security. Not physical security, mind you; rather, the breeze cooled my skin, and because I did not feel hot, I failed to apply suntan lotion. Well, I ended up with a minor burn on my chest, arms, lower legs, and scalp, and I suffered with ‘sunburn itch’ for the better part of the next week. Live and learn!  

---

CocoCay was a great destination, and while I cannot say I will be back this way, I was thrilled to have experienced this exclusive, private destination twice—once to ride water slides and once to relax on a beach in the sun.  
​
And that’s a wrap!